Secret sore throat cure found at rodeo

The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo offers more than roping and calf scrambles.

It also boasts a sore throat remedy that sufferers say works miracles.

Donald Waters experienced it when he walked in to the stock show's first-aid station on Tuesday complaining of a scratchy throat.

"It just scratches," he said. "It just hurts."

Russ Grunewald, the show's director of safety and first aid, offered to swab his throat with a unique medicine. Waters accepted the offer.

"This is Dr. Rush's famous throat swab," Grunewald said as he stuck a large cotton swab into his mouth. "Tongue out. Sing to me."

Dr. Charles Rush was the stock show physician from 1954 until he died several few years ago.

His magic sore throat cure lives on.

Sore throats are a common complaint at the stock show because of the constantly changing weather this time of year and also because of the dirt that gets kicked into the air during performances, Grunewald said.

Few complain after getting the age-tested treatment, he said.

Nobody here knows exactly what's in the formula.

Rush left his secret with a Fort Worth pharmacy, which makes it just for the stock show.

The formula does not contain any narcotic and is not dangerous, Grunewald said.

"All we know is it works," Grunewald said. "That's what counts...It just works. It's not for stopping a cough. It's when you get that super sore burning throat. It kills the pain and keeps it for quite awhile."

Just ask Waters.

"It feels better to me!" he said, adding the relief was almost instantaneous. "That fast."